Citroen Bx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Citroen Bx car check
Is the Citroen Bx reliable? We analysed 40,178 real MOT tests across 8,590 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Citroen Bx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Citroen Bx is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, constant velocity joint gaiter split and fluid suspension pipe leaking. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Citroen Bx.
Citroen Bx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Citroen Bx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Citroen Bx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Citroen Bx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Citroen Bx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Citroen Bx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Citroen Bx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Citroen Bx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Citroen Bx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Citroen Bx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 574 | 67.1% | 115,190 | 139,350 | 169,166 |
| 1993 | 5,774 | 65.2% | 99,870 | 133,174 | 167,220 |
| 1992 | 9,176 | 64.9% | 91,048 | 125,974 | 160,914 |
| 1991 | 8,792 | 64.5% | 82,675 | 114,742 | 147,906 |
| 1990 | 6,632 | 64.4% | 75,511 | 109,306 | 148,574 |
| 1989 | 4,470 | 65.1% | 70,244 | 110,487 | 147,670 |
| 1988 | 2,573 | 65.4% | 72,182 | 109,138 | 148,110 |
| 1987 | 1,042 | 65.3% | 62,738 | 88,815 | 134,537 |
| 1986 | 507 | 65.9% | 62,606 | 86,663 | 120,372 |
| 1985 | 338 | 66.9% | 53,958 | 76,090 | 124,560 |
| 1984 | 179 | 62.0% | 49,483 | 82,593 | 96,950 |
How Long Does a Citroen Bx Last?
Based on 8,590 Citroen Bx vehicles on UK roads.
Citroen Bx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Citroen Bx MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Citroen Bx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
67.1% MOT pass rate from 574 tests
62.0% MOT pass rate from 179 tests
The best year to buy a used Citroen Bx is 1994, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.1% across 574 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Citroen Bx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citroen Bx THIS CAR | 64.9% | 40,178 | 117,676 mi | 40 yrs |
| Citroen Xsara | 69.1% | 5,047,330 | 77,497 mi | 28 yrs |
| Citroen Berlingo | 70.1% | 4,453,235 | 83,738 mi | 29 yrs |
| Citroen C3 | 72.7% | 4,435,918 | 53,913 mi | 24 yrs |
| Dodge Ram | 80.3% | 27,651 | 82,712 mi | 41 yrs |
Compared to the Citroen Xsara (69.1% pass rate) and the Citroen Berlingo (70.1% pass rate), the Citroen Bx trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Citroen Bx you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Citroen BxShould you buy a used Citroen Bx?
The Citroen Bx has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.9% across 40,178 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Citroen Bx are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2,477 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter split (1,931), and fluid suspension pipe leaking (1,902). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Citroen Bx owner drives around 3,107 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Citroen Bx models stay on UK roads for around 40 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.